Device for dispensing food substances

ABSTRACT

Dispensing device (1) for the controlled dispensing of food substances contained in a container (2) which can be associated with the dispensing device (1) in correspondence with a mouth (20) of the container through which the substance to be dispensed passes; the device (1) comprises: a screw element (10) comprising a hollow cylindrical body (12) with an inlet (11) connectable to the container (2) and a dispensing outlet (14); a helicoid (13) disposed internally and coaxial with respect to the cylindrical body (12); a support base (3) comprising motor means (4, 5) connected and acting on the screw (10) to activate on command the controlled rotation of the helicoid (13) and obtain the consequent controlled transfer of the substance to be dispensed from the container (2) towards said dispensing outlet (14); the screw element (10) can be connected to the base (3) by means of a quick release connection.

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing food substancesin viscous, gelatinous or creamy form, such as, for example, honey,jams, marmalades, creams, sauces and preserves of various types, bothsweet and salty, both anhydrous and hydrated, in which the dispensedsubstance may comprise a single product or mixtures of several products.

In the field of hotels, restaurants, cafeteria-bar and similaractivities, dispensing devices for these substances are increasinglyused, both for direct use by customers during meals, for example duringbreakfast, and for the use by operators, for example for fillingbrioches.

In their known configuration, the dispensing devices of these substanceshave a withdrawal section which is formed by a sort of pump, which canbe operated through one or more lever mechanisms, which take a certainquantity of product from a tank or bottle and push it towards adispensing outlet. In some cases, the thrust action provides for thesliding of pistons inside cylinders in which the food substances passand therefore by direct contact with the latter. The dispensing outletcan be provided with a nozzle with a spout to facilitate the filling ofbrioches and the like.

Such known devices have numerous drawbacks better described below.

First of all, such devices generally require manual operation by anoperator who exerts a force on a lever for operating the mechanism.Since these are machines that are usually also installed inaccommodation facilities such as hotels, rest and refreshment areas, orin places such as bars or restaurants, the operator assigned to use thismachine is often obliged to use it repeatedly, also for many times, theoperating lever of the device causing in this way possible slowdowns ofthe working activity and, above all, the possible fatigue of theoperator himself.

The pump actuation system with lever and/or piston entails furtherdisadvantages in terms of reliability of the device, as well as the needfor frequent washing of the same. In fact, the thrust action towards thedispenser often foresees the sliding of the piston and the relativeseals in the chamber of the cylinder which is involved in contact withfood substances; the latter release residues of various kinds that tendover time, and especially after even a short period of inactivity of thedevice, to adhere to the walls of the dispensing compartment, thuscreating resistance, obstructions and, in extreme cases, even possiblebreakages of the mechanism/s due to excessive force exerted on the leveritself. The washing operations involve the disassembly and reassembly ofthe dispenser body; in known configurations, these operations requirethe disassembly and removal of several parts and components, thusdetermining impractical and inefficient activities for the user.

Another drawback of known devices is represented by the fact that theyallow to dispense with accuracy only a predetermined quantity ofproduct, that is the quantity corresponding to the volume that thepumping system, at each activation cycle, takes from the tank or bottleand pushes towards the outside of the dispensing device; in other words,the standard quantity that can be dispensed is discrete and is aninteger multiple of the aforementioned volume. This means that in allcases in which it is desired to obtain a quantity different from thestandard quantity (or from a multiple thereof) it is complicated tosatisfy the requests of users interested in controlling the managementcosts of the offered service. This type of need occurs, for example, inall commercial activities such as bars or restaurant where the managerrequires predefined quantities of honey, jams or creams with which tofill their desserts.

Another further drawback is linked to the purely “manual” use of thedispensing lever in known devices. In fact, in particular in the use bydifferent subjects (for example in the case of different customershaving breakfast in a hotel), the lever comes into physical contact withall users, with possible negative repercussions from the point of viewof safeguarding hygiene rules.

A further drawback derives from the ineffectiveness of known systems toensure, during normal operation, an almost complete dispensing of thesubstance contained in the tank or bottle, resulting in product waste orforcing the user to carry out manual operations to remove the contents.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,173,584, US2013/0126556 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,747describe dispensers of food substances provided with motorization meansfor the release of the substance to be dispensed.

The main object of the present invention is to overcome theaforementioned drawbacks by proposing a dispensing device for foodsubstances in viscous, gelatinous or creamy form having thecharacteristics indicated in claim 1. Other characteristics of thepresent invention are described in the dependent claims.

Among the advantages of the present invention the following can bementioned: it is possible to ensure greater reliability of thedispensing system, with more flexibility in the choice of the quantityof product to be dispensed, with better accuracy and control of thedispensed quantity; with the device in question it is possible toexclude or at least strongly limit manual intervention by the user, thusincreasing safety against possible contamination; the device in questioncan be quickly cleaned in a convenient and functional way; the productdispensed by this device does not come into contact with mechanicalparts that are difficult to clean, thus guaranteeing high standards ofhygiene; the possibility of disassociating the parts affected byelectrical circuits from the parts affected by contact with the productfurther facilitates cleaning operations even with water; the devicefacilitates the operations of loading the containers of the product tobe dispensed, allowing, in particular, to associate the productcontainer to the dispensing device with the product outlet facingupwards, thus avoiding unwanted product losses due to the overturning ofthe product container and generally facilitating the container changeoperation; the device in question allows substantially complete emptyingof the containers of the dispensed product, drastically reducing waste;the device in question also allows to dispense those types of productssuch as, for example, hazelnut or pistachio creams, which, due to theirviscosity or density, possibly also depending on the dispensingtemperature, can be difficult to dispense using the devices currently onthe market; furthermore, the possibility of detaching the base of thedispensing device from the assembly comprising the part that dispensesthe product and the relative container allows the aforementioneddispenser-container assembly to be stored in a refrigerated environment,particularly useful for the correct conservation of some food products;the motorization means of the device can be controlled remotely, alsoproviding statistics relating to the consumption of the productsdispensed and/or information on any faults to be repaired or maintenanceto be carried out; the innovative and advantageous characteristics ofthe device are preserved over time, requiring extremely reducedmaintenance interventions thanks to the relative constructive simplicityof the device and its ease of operation.

These and further advantages and characteristics of the presentinvention will be better understood by every person skilled in the artthanks to the following description and the attached drawings, providedby way of example but not to be considered in a limiting sense, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a possible embodiment of the device,of which some parts are partially represented, others are represented byblocks and still others omitted to highlight others, and with a detailrepresented on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of another possible embodiment ofthe device, in which a jacket element intended to partially cover thecontainer for the substance to be dispensed is better visible,constituting a heating means for the same substance;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show a possible embodiment of the connection betweentwo parts of the device, shown, respectively, in a partial perspectiveview from below (FIG. 3 ), in a partial perspective view from above(FIG. 4 ) and in a front view with parts in section and/or removed (FIG.5 );

FIG. 6 shows, in a schematic perspective view, a possible embodiment ofa variable diameter screw element;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a further possible embodimentof the device;

FIGS. 8 and 9 relate to the example of FIG. 7 represented, respectively,in a front view and in a sectional view along the line IX-IX of FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 10 is the sectional view of FIG. 9 on an enlarged scale and withsome details removed;

FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of the upper portion of the example ofFIG. 7 ;

FIG. 12 is a section view along the line XII-XII of FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of an example of embodiment of the screwelement;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the base portion of the embodiment example ofFIG. 7 ;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view along the line XV-XV of FIG. 14 ;

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view, with two enlarged details, ofthe embodiment of FIG. 7 in which the dispensing device is separatedinto two parts to better show the releasable association means actingbetween the two parts;

FIGS. 17 and 18 relate to the example of FIG. 7 represented,respectively, in a front view and in a sectional view along the lineXVIII-XVIII of FIG. 17 to show a possible embodiment of the dispensingnozzle closing means, shown in a closure configuration in which thesubstance to be dispensed does not pass through the nozzle;

FIGS. 19 and 20 relate to the example of FIG. 7 represented,respectively, in a front view and in a sectional view along the lineXX-XX of FIG. 19 to show a possible embodiment of the dispensing nozzleclosing means, shown in an opening configuration in which the substanceto be dispensed can pass through the nozzle;

FIGS. 21 and 22 are enlarged views of the details indicated,respectively with B1 in FIG. 18 and with B2 in FIG. 20 ; and

FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of the detail indicated with A in FIG. 10 .

With reference to the attached drawings, a dispensing device (1) of foodsubstances made in accordance with the invention can be used for thecontrolled delivery of a substance in a viscous, gelatinous or creamyform such as, for example, honey, jam, marmalade, compotes, sauces,preserves and creams of various types, such as, for example, hazelnut,pistachio or custard or mixtures, both sweet and salty, both anhydrousand hydrated.

The substance to be dispensed is contained in a relative container (2)which can be associated with the dispensing device (1) in correspondencewith a mouth (20) of the container through which the substance to bedispensed passes. In use, the container (2) is positioned with the mouth(20) facing downwards, so that the substance to be dispensed can flow bygravity through the same mouth (20), and the dispensing device (1) isplaced under the container (2).

In particular, with reference to the drawings of FIG. 1 , the mouth (20)of the container (2) can be received in a corresponding inlet seat (11)provided on a hollow body (12) which houses a screw element (10) whichwill be described later. The inlet (11) can have a slightly largerdiameter than the mouth (20) of the container (2) so as to allow thesealed reception of the same open portion (20) in the inlet (11). In theembodiment illustrated in the drawings, the inlet (11) has one or moresteps on which the mouth (20) of the container rests. It is possible toincrease the seal between the mouth (20) and inlet (11) by using agasket such as the O-ring type. The connection between the inlet (11) ofthe dispensing device (1) and the mouth (20) of the container (2) istherefore stable and reversible since it allows a tight connection andan easier replacement of the container (2).

It is also possible to realize particular conformations of the profileof the inlet (11) so as to make the inlet (11) associable only tocontainers or bottles (2) which are provided with a complementarilyshaped mouth (20). In other words, with the possibility of a “dedicated”connection which allows the dispensing device to be equipped only with atype of container or bottle, the dispenser according to the invention isadvantageous in all those types of use, such as those that provide forthe loan for use of the dispensing device, or in which the user is to beobliged to use containers or bottles coming only from a specificsupplier. The dedicated association between dispenser and container canbe achieved in different ways. A first type of connection can providethat the mouth (20) of the container (2) and the inlet (11) can have athread with a non-standard pitch (for example screwing in ananticlockwise direction instead of clockwise); another typology can beconstituted by a particular joint that allows the association of theinlet (11) only with compatible containers (2); a further type ofdedicated connection between dispenser and container can be made byinserting in the container (2) a chip or other element recognizable by acorresponding sensor connected to the product dispensing means (forexample to the motor-reducer) to provide consent to dispensing only forcontainers provided with such identification element. The examplesdescribed are not limitative of other embodiments which provide an inlet(11) of the device and a corresponding mouth (20) of the containerprovided with means that allow their complementary univocal coupling.

The screw element (10) is contained in a hollow cylindrical body (12)with a vertical axis (Y) in the example of FIG. 1 , on which are formedthe inlet (11) through which the substance to be dispensed flows and adispensing outlet (14), preferably provided with a spout (140); thehelicoid (13) of the screw element (10), which can be of the fixed ormodular type, has an external diameter (D13) substantially correspondingto the internal diameter (D12) of the cylindrical body (12). The latteracts as a conveyor tube.

In possible alternative embodiments of the invention, the cylindricalbody (12) in which the helicoid is contained can have an oblique orhorizontal axis.

The base (3) can have, as in the example of FIG. 1 , a “C” shape seen ina vertical section, with a lower support portion (39) and a closedcompartment (38) in which to house the means motors described below.

The support base (3) can in fact be configured to house motor means (4,5) connected and acting on the screw (10) to activate the rotation ofthe helicoid (13) on command and obtain the consequent controlledtransfer of the substance to be dispensed from the container (2) towardssaid dispensing outlet (14).

In FIGS. 2-5 shows another possible embodiment of the base (3).

The motor means (4, 5) can comprise an electric motor (4) and a relativespeed reducer (5) which move a first vertical shaft (30) connected, in astable and reversible way, to a second vertical shaft (17) which, inturn, is integral with the helical (13) of the screw element (10). Theexperiments carried out in the design phase of the present inventionhave shown that in order to obtain an optimal movement, i.e. thrust,flow rate and therefore delivery of the substance, it is possible toeffectively exploit the combination of the force of gravity that pushesthe substance downwards, the speed rotation of the helicoid (13) and asuitable configuration and geometry of the screw element (10) whichprovides for a reduced gap between the external profile of the helicoid(13) and the internal walls of the cylindrical body (12), in order toavoid upward leakage of the substance to be dispensed. For example, thedifference between the value of the internal diameter (D12) of thecylindrical body (12) and the value of the external diameter (D13) ofthe helicoid (13) is preferably less than 10 mm, with variationsdepending on the type of material to be move and on the conformation ofthe helicoid (13). Depending on the type of substance, the thrustrequired and the flow rate to be delivered, it is possible to createhelical elements (13) whose diameter is variable along the axis (Y); inparticular, with reference to the non-limiting example of FIG. 6 , thediameter in the distal portion (D13 b), intended to be arranged incorrespondence with the mouth (20), may be smaller than the diameter ofthe proximal portion (D13 a) presented by helicoid in the area locatedinside the cylindrical body (12).

With reference to the non-limiting example of FIG. 1 , the cylindricalbody (12) is provided with an opening (15) arranged at the bottomthrough which the connection end (16) of the drive shaft (17) of thecochlea (10) sealingly passes; the connecting end (16) is provided witha first coupling element (18) complementarily shaped with respect to asecond coupling element (19) presented by the drive shaft (30) connectedto the motor means (4, 5) to allow a stable and reversible connectionbetween the two shafts (17, 30).

On the driven shaft (17) there is a ball bearing (33) surmounted by asealing gasket (35); a disk element (37) can also be placed above thelower opening (15) of the body (12) to better isolate the overlying partof the cylindrical body (12) from the area affected by the bearing (33).The presence of the bearing (33) determines the correct verticalpositioning of the shaft (17) and of the helicoid (13) inside thecylindrical body (12). A greater number of ball bearings can beprovided, as well as roller bearings and/or annular bodies made of amaterial with a low coefficient of friction such as, for example, Teflonor other. The sealing gaskets can be formed by oil seal discs or similarelements.

The screw element (10) can be connected to said base (3) by means of abayonet coupling (6), illustrated by means of a schematic representationin the detail on the left of FIG. 1 . In the example of embodiment ofthis detail, which is not limiting to other solutions, the lower portionof the cylindrical body (12), identified by the reference (120), can bereversibly associated by “bayonet” to the corresponding portion (121)which it is made integral with the base (3). In particular, the portion(120) is provided with an appendix (60) which has a pin (61) which canbe inserted in a corresponding shaped seat (63) presented by the portion(121). The displacement of the pin (61) to be inserted in the shapedseat (63) is represented by the arrows; in practice, after positioningthe cylindrical body (12) (together with the container 2 possibly fixedto it) on the base (3), the pin (61) moves vertically downwards to bethen rotated and locked in the end part (64) of the seat (63); the endpart that extends upwards so as to keep in position the pin (61) whichis pushed upwards by the reaction of a spring (62) fitted on theappendix (60) which supports the pin (61). Obviously, the connectionwith bayonet coupling can also be made in other ways, just as thebayonet coupling can be replaced by any convenient connection thatallows stable and reversible coupling between the dispensing device (1)and the base (3).

Another possible non-limiting example of realization of the connectionmeans (6) between the screw element (10) and the base (3) is shown inFIGS. 3-5 , in which the components of the device have a numberingcorresponding to those of FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the lower portionof the cylindrical body (12), identified by the reference (120), can bereversibly “bayonet” associated to the corresponding portion (121) whichis made integral with the base (3). In particular, the portion (120) isprovided with a lower cylindrical extension (67) from which protrude twoappendages (65) formed by circular portions, arranged diametricallyopposite each other. The portion (121), which is fixed to the base (3),is provided with a shaped seat (66) in which the two appendages (65) canenter with a vertical displacement to be constrained following arotation that makes them engage appendages (65) in correspondingreceiving recesses, pushed by a spring (68), visible in FIG. 5 . Alsowith this solution a safe and easy coupling is allowed between the shaft(16) presented by the screw element (10) and the shaft (30) connected tothe reducer (5).

Therefore, thanks to the particular connection between the base (3) andthe screw element (10) (and therefore the entire dispensing body of thedevice 1) it is possible to easily separate the two components toperform cleaning operations effectively and in reduced time.

Another advantage deriving from the possibility of easily disassociatingthe body of the dispenser (1) from the support base (3) relates to thesimplicity of the operations for replacing the containers (2).

In fact, with the screw element (10) detached from the base (3) it ispossible to fix the inlet (11) of the screw element (10) to the mouth(20) of the container (2) when the latter is with the mouth (20) placedat the top. This substantially eliminates the possibility of unwantedleakage of the substance from the container (2) during association withthe screw element (10), contrary to what happens in known dispensingdevices which require loading with the mouth (20) placed at the bottom.In practice, when a container must be fixed to the dispensing device,the container (2) is placed with its base (21) resting on a surface andthe mouth (20) facing upwards to receive the part of the device (1)which presents the inlet (11). Subsequently, the device (1) is fixed tothe base (3) and the vent hole (23) provided on the base (21) of thecontainer is opened; the base faces upwards after fixing.

Advantageously, moreover, the helical (13) of said screw element (10)extends upwards beyond said inlet (11) so as to penetrate inside saidcontainer (2).

In particular, with reference to the illustrated example, at the upperend of the shaft (17) of the screw element (10) there is fixed a crusherarm (7) shaped according to a broken line that projects upwardsfollowing the profile of the walls (22) of the container (2). Inparticular, the arm (7) has a proximal portion (71) fixed to the shaft(17) which develops radially (horizontally with reference to thedrawing), a median portion (72) oblique and a distal portion (73) whichdevelops substantially parallel to the (Y) axis, vertically in thedrawing reference.

The action of the crushing arm (7) (which is integral with the screwelement in its rotation) is extremely advantageous to allow the correct(complete) emptying of the container (2), in particular in those casesin which the viscosity or the density of the product to be dispenseddetermine the formation of agglomerates which adhere to the internalwalls of the container (2) or which in any case tend not to come out ofthe container itself. Experimental tests have shown that the use of thearm (7) determines the complete emptying of the container (2) with allthe products used. In other words, the intervention of the arm (7)increases the effectiveness of the screw conveyor (10) which alreadywithout the arm is much more efficient than known dispensers.

Correct (complete) emptying of the container (2) can be facilitated byheating means which can operate in addition or as an alternative to thearm (7) described above. In the example illustrated, the heating meansare represented by a jacket (8) which extends so as to at leastpartially cover the walls of the container (2), as can also be seen inthe example of FIG. 2 . The jacket (8) can also be close to thedispensing body (1), in order to maintain the correct temperature andtherefore fluidity to the substance held inside the dispensing body.

The jacket (8) can house heating elements (for example resistances) andis supported by a support body (80) which connects it to the base (3),both to support it and to supply electrical power to the heatingelements. A temperature sensor may be provided on the jacket (8) toprovide a signal for a relative thermostat. On the base (3) there willbe an activation button and possibly a temperature regulator whennecessary.

The heating will be used for those products that at relatively lowtemperatures do not have sufficient fluidity to allow dispensing.

The heating means can also be constituted by other heating elements suchas, for example, the same screw element (10) shaped so as to transmitthe heat to the product to be dispensed, or by lamps that heat thecontainer, etc.

As previously said, the motor means (4, 5) can comprise an electricmotor (4) and a reducer (5) to obtain the reduction of revolutionsconsidered most appropriate. The activation of the motor means (4, 5)can be obtained by means of a switch or button (9). In this way thescrew element (10) can be activated for periods of variable duration soas to dose the quantity dispensed as desired.

Advantageously, the switch or button (9) can be activated without manualcontact, for example with a proximity sensor (90). In this way, allphysical contacts of the users with the device are eliminated,increasing safety in relation to the possibility of contamination due tomanual contact.

The dispensing device (1) can also comprise a sensor (S) acting on themotor means (4, 5) and/or on the screw element (10) capable ofdetecting, for example, the number of revolutions of the screw element(10) to provide a value of the volume of the substance delivered by thedevice (1). In other words, on the device (1) a sensor (S) capable ofsupplying data suitable for producing statistics or simply for measuringthe quantity of substances dispensed is arranged and acting.

The sensor (S) can also be connected, via cable or wireless, to atelecommunication network (R) (for example the Internet) to transmitdata remotely.

The connection of the sensor (S) to the motor (4) and/or to the reducer(5) and/or to the screw element (10) can also detect any anomalies inthe functioning of the device (1) to signal, for example, an excessiveor too low resistance offered by the screw element (10) due to excessivehardening or dissolution of the substance to be dispensed or mechanicalproblems (friction above a threshold value, etc.). In practice, it ispossible to remotely monitor the dispensing device (1) without beingforced to a local control.

In accordance with the illustrated example, the dispensing outlet (14)is formed above the base (3) which, therefore, is not affected by theflow of the dispensed substance.

Similarly to what is illustrated, the dispensing outlet (14) consists ofa lateral appendage of the hollow body (12) and can be provided with anozzle-shaped spout (140).

Preferably, moreover, said delivery outlet (14) is arranged at apredetermined distance from the lower side of the hollow body (12), asshown in the drawing, or above the aforementioned bearing (33) which,therefore, is also below the dispensing outlet (14) and never affectedby contact with the food product to be dispensed.

Reference will now be made to the example illustrated in the drawings ofFIGS. 7-23 , in which the same numerical references have been used toindicate corresponding parts.

Also in the use of this embodiment of the invention, the mouth or openportion (20) of the container (2) is connected to a corresponding inletseat (11) provided on the hollow body (12) which houses the screwelement (10). The inlet (11) is shaped and dimensioned to allow theairtight reception of the same open portion (20) in the inlet (11). Inthe embodiment illustrated in the drawings, an O-ring type gasket (110)is provided. The connection between the inlet (11) of the dispensingdevice (1) and the mouth (20) of the container (2) is therefore stableand reversible since it allows a tight connection and an easierreplacement of the container (2).

As in the example described above, the dispensing device (1) shown inFIGS. 7-23 comprises a screw element (10) and a support base (3).

The screw element (10) is composed of a hollow cylindrical body (12)whose main axis is placed vertically (Y) when the device is in useconditions and which contains the helicoidal or helical element (13)which pushes the substance to be dispensed; the body (12) has the inlet(11) to which connect the container (2) and a dispensing outlet (14)provided with a spout (140); at the bottom, as in the previous example,the body (12) has an opening (15) through which the connection thattransmits the motion from the motor unit (4, 5) of the base (3) to thehelical element (13) of the screw (10) passes.

In this embodiment, the jacket (8) that covers the upper part of thedispensing device (1) has a substantially cylindrical tubularconformation, with an upper portion (81) truncated obliquely at theupper end and a lower portion (82) which widens downwards to partiallycover the rear part of the upper surface of the base (3). Thecylindrical body (12) is covered by a coating (83) which adheres to thesurface of the body (12). The jacket (8) is fixed to the base (3)together with the body (12) in a stable but reversible way and ispreferably made in a single body. Furthermore, a rear portion (820) ofthe lower portion (82) of the jacket is shaped so as to engage one ormore microswitches (900) provided on the base (3) and connected to themotor means (4, 5) of the device (1) to deactivate the latter incorrespondence with the detachment of the jacket (8) from the base (3).This feature determines an increase in operational safety.

The helicoid or helical element (13) of the screw element (10), whichcan be of the fixed or modular type, can have, as indicated for theprevious example, an external diameter (D13) substantially correspondingto the internal diameter (D12) of the cylindrical body (12) which actsas a conveyor tube.

With reference to the example of FIGS. 7-23 , the helical element (13)of the screw element (10) extends along the longitudinal development ofa shaft (130) provided with a lower coupling portion (131), intended forconnection with the motion transmission components, and an upper portion(132) which extends into the arm (7) which, as in the previous example,has the function of facilitating the escape of the food substancecontained in the container (2), possibly carrying out a crushing and/ora scraping of the same substance. In particular, the scraper/crusher armshown in the example of FIGS. 7-23 , is inclined by an angle (a) ofabout 30° with respect to the axis (Y) of the shaft (130) and has anarched conformation, i.e. a section that substantially traces an arc ofcircumference. This type of arm proved to be particularly advantageousin the experiments carried out. The angle (a) of the arm (7) withrespect to the shaft (130) can vary according to the conformation of theinternal walls of the container (2) and/or the substance to bedispensed.

The lower portion (131) of the shaft (130) is fixed (for example bymeans of an elastically fixable pin, not shown in the drawings) to acoupling bush (180), which has an upper seat (181) to accommodate saidcoupling or lower portion (131) and a lower seat (182) in which aconnecting shaft (300) connected to the motor shaft (30) of thegearmotor (4, 5) is received, which, as in the previous example, ishoused in a closed compartment (38). In other words, the motor means (4,5) can comprise an electric motor (4) and a relative speed reducer (5)which move a first vertical shaft (30) connected, in a stable andreversible way, to a second vertical shaft (300) which in turn isintegral with the helical element (13) of the screw element (10) becauseit is engaged in the lower seat (182) of the coupling bushing (180).

An obturator element (77) is fitted onto the lower portion (131) of theshaft (130), which is arranged above the coupling bush (180); on thesame lower portion (131), below the shutter (77), a spring (78) isfitted which is separated from the shutter element (77) and from thebush (180) by means of corresponding washers (79). The shutter element(77) is in contact with a circular protruding edge (133) which delimitsthe area of the shaft (130) on which the helicoid (13) develops.

Advantageously, all the components illustrated in FIG. 13 , i.e. theshaft (131) which supports the crusher/scraper arm (7) at the top and onwhich the helical element (13) is formed, together with the shutterelement (77) and to the coupling bushing (180), constitute a singleelement which can be detached from the rest of the device in a singleoperation. In other words, during the assembly or disassembly of thedevice (1) the set of elements identified with the numerical reference(170) in FIG. 13 is a single block that allows to facilitate andaccelerate the assembly and disassembly operations.

The shutter element (77) has a substantially straight cylindricalconformation with a beveled portion (770) which is defined by aninclined plane and which allows the food substance to be dispensed whensaid beveled portion (770) is arranged in correspondence with the mouthof outlet (14) of the screw element (10). In FIGS. 17-20 two operatingpositions of the device are shown (1). In particular, in FIGS. 17 and 18it can be seen that the shutter (77) is placed in a configuration inwhich its beveled portion (770) does not coincide with the outletopening (14) and therefore the straight cylindrical walls of the shutter(77) obstruct the opening (14); on the contrary, in FIGS. 19 and 20 itcan be seen that the shutter (77) is placed in a configuration in whichits beveled portion (770) coincides with the outlet opening (14) andtherefore the opening (14) is free, thus allowing the leakage of thesubstance through the spout (140). The locking of the beveled portion(770) in a given configuration can be advantageously carried out bymeans of a pin (771) which is arranged on one side of the outlet mouth(14). The pin (771) can be fixed to the cylindrical body (12) or to aportion which supports the outlet mouth itself (14) and possibly thenozzle (140). With reference to the orientation of the drawings of FIGS.17-22 , when the shutter (77) is rotated clockwise, a first end part(772) of its beveled portion (770) placed “upstream” with respect to thedirection of rotation (i.e. the one on the right in the figures) comesinto contact with the pin (771) causing the shutter (77) to lock in theconfiguration (shown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 21 ) in which with thecylindrical walls straight lines closes the outlet opening (14). On thecontrary, when the shutter (77) is rotated anti-clockwise, the pin (771)engages the second end part (773) of its beveled portion (770) which isplaced “upstream” with respect to the direction of anti-clockwiserotation (i.e. the one on the left in the figures) determining thepositioning of the shutter (77) in the configuration (shown in FIGS. 19,20 and 22 ) in which the outlet opening (14) is free because the beveledportion (77) does not interfere with it. Obviously, means for connectionto the motor means will be provided so as to release (for example byfriction) the shutter (77) from rotation when the closing or openingconfiguration is reached. Advantageously, the beveled portion (770) ofthe shutter (77) allows an easy passage of the material to be dispensedeven in the presence of non-uniformity in the product thanks to thelarge opening it determines at the outlet opening (14).

Like the device shown in FIGS. 1-6 , also that of FIGS. 7-23 allows youto separate the screw element (10) and the base (3) in a simple and fastway to perform cleaning operations effectively. For this purpose, abayonet quick coupling is provided which, in the example, provides afirst plurality of coupling brackets (99) (three in the example) fixedon the base (3) and arranged along a circumference. On the screw element(10) there is provided a corresponding second plurality of couplingbrackets (98) also arranged along a circumference and spaced apart so asto match the brackets (99) of the base (3). In FIG. 15 the idealcircumference along which the brackets (99) are arranged is indicated bythe dash-dot line (C). Each bracket (99) of the base (3) is providedwith a wing (990) which extends outwards parallel to the upper plane(93) of the base (3) so as to form a sort of seat open on one side inthe direction of development of the circumference (C). Correspondingly,each bracket (98) of the screw element (10) is provided with a wing(980) which extends inwards so as to form an appendage which extends onone side along the direction of development of the circumference (C).Thanks to the conformation of the coupling brackets (99, 98) it ispossible to associate and separate the screw element (10) and the base(3) thanks to the simple overlapping of the screw element (10) on thebase and the subsequent rotation in the direction which determines theinsertion of the appendages defined by the wings (980) in the seatsdefined by the wings (990) of the base (3). For a better coupling of thebrackets, teeth or projections (991, 981) can be provided incorrespondence with the portions of the brackets (99, 98) intended tocome into mutual contact.

Also in the device illustrated in FIGS. 7-23 , the jacket (8) can househeating elements (for example resistances) and/or refrigerants (forexample Peltier cells).

As previously said, the motor means (4, 5) can comprise an electricmotor (4) and a reducer (5) to obtain the reduction of revolutionsconsidered most appropriate. The activation of the motor means (4, 5)can be obtained by means of a switch or buttons (9) provided on thefront part of the base (3). In this way the screw element (10) can beactivated for periods of variable duration so as to dose the quantitydispensed as desired.

Similarly to what is provided for the example of FIGS. 1-6 , the switchor button (9) can be activated without manual contact, for example witha proximity sensor (90). In this way, all physical contacts of the userswith the device are eliminated, increasing safety in relation to thepossibility of contamination due to manual contact.

Also the other characteristics described for the example of FIGS. 1-6can be present in the example shown in FIGS. 7-23 .

Advantageously, moreover, the upper part of the base (3) can be providedwith microswitches (900) which allow the activation of the dispensingdevice (1) only when the latter is correctly mounted, that is to saywhen the microswitches (900) they are engaged by a corresponding rearportion (820) of the lower part (82) of the jacket (8).

In practice, the details of execution can in any case vary in anequivalent manner as regards the individual elements described andillustrated, without thereby departing from the idea of the solutionadopted and thus remaining within the limits of the protection grantedby this patent in accordance with the following claims.

1. Dispensing device (1) of food substances in viscous, gelatinous orcreamy form, usable for the controlled dispensing of a substancecontained in a relative container (2) which can be associated with thedispensing device (1) in correspondence of a mouth (20) of the containerthrough which the substance to be dispensed passes, dispensing device(1) comprising: a screw element (10) comprising a hollow cylindricalbody (12) with an inlet (11) connectable to the container (2) and adispensing outlet (14); a helicoid or helical element (13) arrangedinside and coaxial with respect to said cylindrical body (12); a supportbase (3) comprising motor means (4, 5) connected and acting on the screw(10) to activate on command the controlled rotation of the helicoid (13)and obtain the consequent controlled transfer of the substance to bedispensed from the container (2) towards said dispensing outlet (14);dispensing device (1) characterized in that said screw element (10) canbe connected to said base (3) by means of a quick release connection. 2.Dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said quickrelease connection is of the bayonet type (6; 99, 98).
 3. Dispensingdevice according to claim 2, characterized in that said bayonetconnection (99, 98) comprises a first plurality of coupling brackets(99) fixed on the base (3) and arranged along a circumference and acorresponding second plurality of coupling brackets (98) fixed to thescrew element (10) and also arranged along a circumference and spaced soas to meet the brackets (99) of the base (3) when the screw element (10)is superimposed at the base (3).
 4. Dispensing device according to claim3, characterized in that each bracket (99) of the base (3) is providedwith a wing (990) which extends outwards so as to form an open seat andthat each bracket (98) of the screw element (10) is provided with a wing(980) which extends inwards so as to form an appendix which can beinserted in a corresponding seat defined by a wing (990) fixed to thebase (3).
 5. Dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized inthat the difference between the internal diameter (D12) of thecylindrical body (12) and the external diameter (D13) of the helicoid(13) of the screw element (10) has a value less than 10 mm. 6.Dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that saidcylindrical body (12) is provided with an opening (15), arranged at thebottom, through which the connecting end (16) of a drive shaft (17) ofthe screw (10) tightly passes (17), said connecting end (16) beingprovided with a first coupling element (18) complementarily shaped withrespect to a second coupling element (19) presented by a drive shaft(30) connected to said motor means (4, 5) to allow a stable andreversible connection between the two shafts (17, 30).
 7. Dispensingdevice according to claim 1, characterized in that the helical element(13) of the screw element (10) extends along the longitudinal extensionof a shaft (130) provided with a lower coupling portion (131), intendedfor the connection with said motor means (4, 5) and that said lowerportion (131) of the shaft (130) is fixed to a coupling bushing (180),which has an upper seat (181) to accommodate lower coupling portion(131) and a lower seat (182) in which a connecting shaft (300) connectedto the motor shaft (30) of the said motor means (4, 5) is received. 8.Dispensing device according to claim 7, characterized in that a shutterelement (77) is fitted on the lower portion (131) of the shaft (130),arranged above the coupling bush (180), and that said shutter element(77) has a substantially straight cylindrical conformation with abeveled portion (770) which is defined by an inclined plane so as toallow the dispensing of the food substance when said beveled portion(770) is arranged in correspondence with the outlet (14) of the screwelement (10).
 9. Dispensing device according to claim 8, characterizedin that said helical element (13), said shaft (130), said coupling bush(180) and said shutter element (77) are assembled to form a single body,so as to be associated or disassociated simultaneously from the rest ofthe device (1).
 10. Dispensing device according to claim 9,characterized in that it comprises a pin (771) arranged on one side ofthe outlet mouth (14) and interfering with said beveled portion (770)according to two different modes depending on the direction of rotationof said shutter (77).
 11. Dispensing device according to claim 1,characterized in that the helicoid (13) of said screw element (10)extends upwards beyond said inlet (11) so as to penetrate inside saidcontainer (2).
 12. Dispensing device according to claim 1, characterizedin that the helicoid (13) of said screw element (10) extends upwardsbeyond said inlet (11) with a crusher/scraper arm (7), connected to thescrew element (10) and integral with it in the rotation movement. 13.Dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that thehelicoid (13) of said screw element (10) has a variable diameter, with agreater value (D13 a) in correspondence with a proximal portion thereofand a value smaller (D13 b) in correspondence with a distal portionwhich extends upwards beyond said inlet (11) and is intended to passthrough said mouth (20) of the container (2) in the configuration ofuse.
 14. Dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in thatsaid motor means (4, 5) comprise an electric motor (4) and a reducer (5)and a switch or button (9) adapted to activate the screw (10) forperiods of variable duration.
 15. Dispensing device according to claim14, characterized in that said switch or button (9) can be activatedwithout manual contact.
 16. Dispensing device according to claim 1,characterized in that it comprises a sensor (S) acting on said motormeans (4, 5) and/or on said screw element (10) to provide a value of thevolume of the dispensed substance from device (1).
 17. Dispensing deviceaccording to claim 16, characterized in that said sensor (S) isconnected to a telecommunication network (R) to transmit data at adistance.
 18. Dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized inthat it comprises means for heating (8) and/or for cooling the substancecontained in said container (2) and/or in the body of the dispensingdevice (1).
 19. Dispensing device according to claim 18, characterizedin that said means for heating (8) and/or for cooling the substancecontained in said container (2) and/or in the body of the dispensingdevice (1) comprise a jacket which covers said cylindrical body (12).20. Dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in thatreversible connection means (6) are provided to allow coupling anduncoupling between the body of the dispensing device (1) and the base(3) so as to allow the association between the dispensing device (1) andthe container (2) with the dispensing device (1) having its inlet (11)facing upwards, wherein said inlet (11) of the device and said mouth(20) of the container are shaped and/or provided with dedicatedassociation means that allow their complementary univocal coupling, inorder to allow connection to the device only by a single type ofcontainer (2).
 21. (canceled)